The relative sensitization by acidosis of five calcium blockers in cat papillary muscles

We have previously reported that the negative inotropic effects of both verapamil and nifedipine on cat papillary muscles are enhanced as pH is lowered from 7.4 to 6.8 and 6.0. These studies have now been extended to compare the relative sensitization by acidosis of verapamil, nifedipine, lidoflazine, perhexilene and diltiazem. Developed tension was recorded in cat papillary muscles and the calcium concentration was adjusted over the range 2 to 10 mM. At pH 7.4, addition of all five drugs moved the dose response curve to the right with pA2 values from 4.82 (lidoflazine) to 9.94 (nifedipine). At pH 6.0, there was eight-fold sensitization by acidosis for verapamil, but four, three, and two-fold sensitization for nifedipine, lidoflazine and perhexilene. Diltiazem, however, was not sensitized by acidosis. The differential effects of acidosis on the negative inotropic properties of the five drugs may reflect their ancillary properties opposite gating of the calcium channel, local anaesthesia, intracellular calcium movement or Na+/Ca2+ exchange, but also suggest that diltiazem may have the property of inhibiting the effects of low pH on cell membranes.